The city commission has agreed to explore wine sales at the market, which are possible as the result of state law that took effect last August. Local winemakers have requested an opportunity to sell their bottled wines at the market, and to offer prospective buyers a taste, city officials said.

Commissioners meeting in a work session Monday had plenty of questions, including how the city could make sure market-goers don't become inebriated from wine tasting.

"I've been to enough wine tasting things where people taste their way into oblivion," said Commissioner Lawrence Spataro.

State law limits wine tasting servings at farmers markets to three two-ounce servings per customer in a 24-hour period.

Wine vendors likely would be located inside the market so they would be close to the market office and situated next to each other for better monitoring, city administrators said. Other markets that already have wine tasting have not experienced troubles with it, said Cathy Brubaker-Clarke, director of community and economic development.

Law requires that farmers market wine tasting and sales be conducted in an "exclusive area that is well defined and clearly marked."

Public Safety Director Jeffrey Lewis said he didn't foresee any issues with wine at the market. Vendors would risk losing their license if police had to be called for an inebriated customer, he said. Besides, giving away too many free tastes to a single customer isn't a wise business move, he said.

"They're not there to give away their product," Lewis said.

The city commission directed staff to develop a policy allowing wine tasting and sales at the farmers market in compliance with state law.

Wholesalers are prohibited from selling wine at farmers market. The law defines those who can as "a small wine maker who manufactures or bottles not more than 5,000 gallons of wine per year."